1. So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul held out his hand and began his defense:
2. “Regarding all the things I have been accused of by the Jews, King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am about to make my defense before you today,
3. because you are especially familiar with all the customs and controversial issues of the Jews. Therefore I ask you to listen to me patiently.
4. Now all the Jews know the way I lived from my youth, spending my life from the beginning among my own people and in Jerusalem.
5. They know, because they have known me from time past, if they are willing to testify, that according to the strictest party of our religion, I lived as a Pharisee.
6. And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our ancestors,
7. a promise that our twelve tribes hope to attain as they earnestly serve God night and day. Concerning this hope the Jews are accusing me, Your Majesty!
8. Why do you people think it is unbelievable that God raises the dead?